DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 March 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[bv TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] EMPLOYERS’ QUERY. GISBORNE. March 29. Owing to tho indisposition of Mr W. Scott, tho employers’ representative on tho Arbitration Court, the Court adjourned to-day till this evening, but at night Mr Scott was still unable to be present. The Court sat in the evening, when it was asked lo decide as to an application by the Gisborne employers, through the Inspector of Factories, for an interpretation of the preference clause in the Drivers’ Award. The question was:-—“ls an employer hound to dismiss from his service a. youth, a non-unionist, when requested to do so by the Union, provided there is a member of tho Union, either a youth or an adult qualified for that particular work ?” After argument had been heard, the Court reserved its decision. MACHINERY ACT. NELSON. March 29.

A case of considerable interest to contractors and others was heard before Air T. E. Atnunseli, S.M.. today, when the Inspector of Machinery proceeded against W. 11. Williamson, contractor, for using machinery lor which a certificate had not been issued. The case arose out of an accident to an employee at the new Hospital. u hereby the victim lost two or three lingers, and. in consequence of a subsequent' inspection of the plant made by the Inspector, it was found that no license had been issued lor this particular machine. The defendant pleaded “guilty.” He explained that, through an oversight, no license had been obtained. Since the accident, the plant had been dismantled. There had been no intention to evade the Act.

The Inspector saiil there was no guard over the machine. II the Department had been notified when i( was erected, the use of the machine would have been prohibited until il was made safe. If the machinery had been inspected, the accident would probably not. have happened, or it would not have been such a serious

The Magistrate said lie was afraid that he would have to look upon the offence as a serious one. He thought it. should lie generally known by contractors and others who used machinery that it had to he inspected by the Department. The object, was to see that, it was safe for the workmen. The maximum penalty, lie said was £1(10. The inspector had stated that the accident. would not have happened il the law had been complied with, lie mnsl also take into account that the penalty must he a substantial one. As a warning to other tradesmen, a line of £lO would ho imposed, with ro*i£2 3s. All IX FATALITY. INVERCARGILL, March 29. Advice has been received of an accident resulting in the death of a siuvii’ i I Ilia ml, named Charles Kirkland, on Friday in the Catlin's River district. Tt appears that a log rolled on to the deceased, causing fatal injuries. Kirkland was thirty-six years of age. and was employed at the Lnuriston mill at Tahakopa. lie lost an' arm about twenty years ago, as the result of an accident, at Waikawa. The deceased leaves a widow and four children. DROWNED IN BARREL. TT.MATir, March 29. A child of two years, a son of Mr S. Williams of Temuka. was found drowned in a barrel in which there was two feet of water. The child had been playing near the barrel. A WIDE DESERTER. NELSON. March 29. What Sonior-Sergt. Barrett, described as "mm ei the worst cases lie had had to deal with " was before Mr Afaunsell S.AI.. to-day. when Leonard Tariiworth (who did not appear) was charged with failing to comply with the terms of his probation license. !he defendant, for a breach of a maintenance order in respect lo his wife, some months ago. was ordered to come up for sentence when ealed upon, and to report to the police monthly, and also to notify the Police il he left the district. Senior Sergeant Barret said defendant had not done ><>. and his \\hereabouts were unknown. The .Magistrate imposed a sentence of six mouths’ imprisonment.

MOTOR .MENACE. WELLINGTON. .March 29. Coroner Page. giving his finding.* a*. the Coroner’s inquiry comerning the death ol Paul .lours, aged live years, ivho (lire! as the result of injuries retoiveil through being crushed by an ioilcaov.il motor lorry returned a verdict in accordance with tin: evidence. Tin. Coroni'i Inn hor remarked that Ilia number of lust moving vehicles in our streets is rapidly increasing. l 'f mu unaware/' he said, “whetlvcr any instruct ion is given to cliildreii in the 1- u hi it- schools. I think it would he a rood idea, to have instruction riven the young children as to the dangers from motor vehicles in the street. 1 ' lie said that there was no adequate evidence to prove wluit lorry it was, or who was the owner in this case. .MANSLAUGHTER Cl. IA HOE. !XVKROAH(■ 11.1.. March if). At the conclusion ol ifie inquest mi the death ol !•’retl<■ rik AVitt.v. who was killed on the North lioad on .March. Bth., the coroner returned a verdict that deceased met his death through being run over by a car, driven b\ .John Guv Denniston.

Dennison is the Engineer engaged by the Southland County Council to supervise the work of bitumini'ing the North Hoad. The evidence showed that the deceased. who was riding a hieycle had keen struck' from behind and thrown against the windscreen. Dennison was arrested on a charge of manslaughter, hail being allowed on one surety of £2OO. lie was remanded to appear on April 7th. VICE-REGAL VISIT. PALMERSTON N.. March 20. Their Excellencies, Sir Charles and Lady Fergiisstut, on their first official visit to i’alnierstoii North, spent a very busy day. visiting the Old People’s Home, one of the schools, and the Hospital in the morning. They wore the guests of the Rotary Club at. lunch, and ""attended a civic reception in the afternoon. Sir Charles attended a Masonic function in the evening. I’VRAIER FOUND DROWNED. NEW PLYMOUTH, March 29. Otto Barr, an elderly farmer, of Tara tn, was found drowned in a creek on his property this evening by neighhours. who became alarmed when he failed to return to the house. He had not been enjoying good health latterly, An inquest will be held to-morrow.

LEVEL CROSSING VICTIM. CHRISTCHURCH. March 29. Law-rente "Suckling, who was injured at Templeton on Saturday afternoon, in a collision between bis motor truck and a crouds train, is still in a serious condition. though the hospital authorities advised to-day that he is slightly improved. He regained consciousness yesterday,